(BEDFORD) - AT&T is now covering more of Lawrence County with its 4G network to give area residents and businesses mobile Internet speeds up to four times faster than 3G.

Additional capacity has been added to a cell tower on the north side of Bedford; and to another cell tower near Oolitic and Patton Hill just off State Road 37. Customers in these areas can now use their smartphones to surf the Internet faster than ever before.

"Urban and rural communities alike need the latest technologies to ensure that their citizens and businesses are well-equipped for a fully connected future," said State Rep. Eric Koch, chairman of the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee of the Indiana House of Representatives. "We're thrilled to see this latest investment by AT&T in our part of the state, and the quicker mobile Internet speeds that come along with it."

"We're excited to bring faster speeds to Lawrence Co. residents and businesses," said Bill Soards, president of AT&T Indiana. "We know our customers are living their lives on the go. We want to help them get the most out of their mobile devices - whether they're watching videos, texting family and friends or posting to social media."

AT&T has invested nearly $2 billion in its wireless and wired networks in Indiana between 2012 through 2014, driving a wide range of upgrades to reliability, coverage, speed and performance for residents and business customers.

AT&T constantly invests in its network to give customers the high-quality services they need to stay connected. AT&T is adding the latest in network technology, such as small cells, to ensure customers have wireless service where they need it most. The company is also using distributed antenna systems, which can improve service in crowded areas and large structures, like a sports stadium.

Over the last six years (2009-2014), AT&T invested nearly $140 billion including investments in its wireless and wireline networks and acquisitions of wireless spectrum and operations. Since 2009, AT&T has invested more in the United States than any other public company. In a September 2014 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. "Investment Heroes."